A New Era for the Washington Commanders
There's a palpable sense of transformation surrounding the Washington Commanders this training camp and preseason. With new faces among the players and an almost entirely revamped coaching staff, the team is embracing a fresh practice structure and new initiatives aimed at improving performance and accountability.
The Washington Commanders have turned the page with Dan Quinn at the helm as the new head coach, alongside fresh offensive and defensive coordinators. This overhaul is not just limited to personnel but extends to the logistics of where players reside and how practices are structured, signaling a significant shift in the organization’s approach.
An initiative that has gained traction is "Tell the Truth Monday," introduced just two days after the Commanders' narrow 20-17 preseason loss to the Jets. This initiative is designed to provide a thorough review of both successes and areas needing improvement—a clear indicator of the new regime’s commitment to transparency and growth. “It was good to tell the truth Monday—this is what we learned, this is what we need to do heading into this week,” said Quinn, encapsulating the spirit of the initiative.
Even rookies are stepping into spotlight moments during this transformative phase. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, though limited to just one drive against the Jets, showcased his potential. Daniels led an audible that resulted in a 42-yard pass to Dyami Brown, followed by a 3-yard touchdown run to cap the series. Such performances are the high points of the "Tell the Truth" reviews, but the sessions also expose shortcomings. "Tell the Truth is good and bad," noted Mason Brooks. "There's high points—like your rookie quarterback making a check like that—and there's low points, like guys missing assignments and coming up short."
Tackles Brandon Coleman (shoulder/pectoral), Andrew Wylie (tightness), and Cornelius Lucas (personal) were among the key players sidelined and did not play against the Jets. This absence led to six different players lining up at tackle during the game, including Mason Brooks, Chris Paul, and Braeden Daniels. Brooks played 34 of his team-high 53 snaps at left tackle, a testament to the flexibility being instilled in players under the new regimen.
Rookie Ben Sinnott also delivered a noteworthy performance with three receptions for 57 yards. Reflecting on the game and the subsequent "Tell the Truth Monday," Sinnott emphasized the importance of learning and improving. "We still got a lot of stuff to improve on. I think the big thing that we kind of heard—the 'truth'—just being able to finish that game, make the plays that we need. We had a three-and-out, penalty on our last drive to go and take the lead, so just things we need to clean up, pre-snap errors, that kind of stuff that we can clean up and hopefully take our game to the next level," he observed.
Injuries remain a concern as rookies Johnny Newton (foot), Jordan Magee (knee), and Sam Hartman (shoulder) are dealing with their respective ailments. However, Newton and Magee are expected to contribute sooner rather than later, offering hope that their integration into the new system will provide the squad with additional depth and talent.
The game film is the ultimate truth-teller, revealing both the performances and mistakes of the team. “Don’t harden your heart to the corrections,” Quinn advised, underlining the importance of taking constructive criticism in stride. This mentality is crucial as the Commanders aim to transition from a team undergoing changes to a cohesive unit capable of competing at the highest level.
Adjusting to the new team dynamics and operating under a renewed structure isn't without its challenges. Mason Brooks captures the essence of this journey succinctly: "You just have to take things in stride the best that you can. When you're working in uncharted or new territory, there's a lot of new experiences for you to have. I think the important thing is just to keep moving forward the best that you can."
The Washington Commanders are clearly focused on building a foundation rooted in honesty, improvement, and resilience. As the preseason progresses, the impact of these changes will become more evident, setting the stage for the kind of transformation that could redefine the team's future.